Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This is a pretty standard recipe for making homemade laundry detergent, you can find it anywhere online, so it's nothing original. It works very well, makes about 10 gallons and costs only a few dollars to make. First, you'll need to go to the store for the following items.

Start up cost: $7.47 -- But let's break it down because you can use the washing soda 6.5 times and the borax 7 times. Each recipe: Super Washing Soda $.38 + Borax $.57 + Fels Naptha $.97 = Total $1.92 Per Recipe **Each recipe yields approximately 640 Loads (Front Loader) or 180 loads (Top Loader) Since math is just so fun and we have a front loader, it costs $.003 per load -- uh... that's like a fraction of a penny... Hello? AWESOME!

Grate the soap

Heat soap with 4 cups of water on medium, stirring constantly until melted.

Let sit overnight and it will turn into gel. You have 2 options: 1. Fill up an empty laundry detergent container halfway with the concentrated mix and half with water and do this as you go. 2. If you have a large enough container, add another 5 gallons of hot tap water. -- **Note: Be sure to shake the container or mix before every use as the gel and water will separate.

Front loader washing machine = 1/4 cup per load

Top loader washing machine = 5/8 cup per load

**Note: You can add essential oils if you want. I've heard about 10-15 drops is good and to add it after it's cooled.